Top Scorer Candidates for the 2023 Serie A Season

Tiquinho Soares – 6 Goals

At the time of writing, Botafogo is top of the league after six matches with 15 points. ‘Fogo’ started the 2023 campaign stronger than any other team, winning their first five games. The most recent match for the team was a 2-1 defeat, away at Goiás.

The standout performer of the team and in the league so far is forward Tiquinho Soares. The 32-year-old veteran has scored a total of 6 goals and assisted twice in the six league matches thus far. Soares has either scored or assisted in every match of the season, barring a 2-0 home win over Atlético-MG. He is the number 9 of Fogo and the team’s penalty taker, scoring 3 out of 3. Currently leading the goal-scoring charts, Soares could win the golden boot and lead Botafogo, whom he only joined last September, to a first Serie A title since 1995.

Raphael Veiga – 4 Goals

Currently, Raphael Veiga has scored four goals for second-placed Palmeiras. ‘Porco’ have won four of their opening six matches, with two fixtures ending as a draw. They are one of two teams to remain undefeated in the league thus far.

Playing as an attacking-midfielder, Veiga has scored four goals in his last four appearances for Palmeiras. The 27-year-old will be hoping to help his team successfully defend the title, having won the Serie A championship in 2022. In doing so, he would help Porco extend their record of eleven Serie A trophies an increase the gap over Santos, who are second with eight titles. On average this season, Veiga has a goal scorer frequency of 76 minutes.

Hulk – 3 Goals

Givanildo Veira de Sousa, or more commonly known as Hulk, has scored three goals and provided two assists for Atlético Minerio. Atlético-MG have had an up-and-down start to the 2023 Serie A season, winning three games, losing twice and drawing once. The former Porto and Brazilian international, joined ‘Galo’ in 2021, helping the team win its first Serie A title since 1971 and the first Copa do Brasil since 2014. In the following season, Hulk secured even more silverware for Galo by helping the team win its first ever Supercopa do Brasil.

With three goals to his name, the 36-year-old Brazilian veteran will hope to win Atlético-MG another title this season. He won the golden boot in 2021 after scoring 19 goals from 35 matches. This season, Hulk will look to replicate that form and help his team win the title for the third time, whilst also claiming another top scorer accolade.

Gabriel Barbosa – 3 goals

Gabriel Barbosa, affectionately known as "Gabigol", is a Brazilian footballer who has been making waves with Flamengo. ‘Rubro-Negro’ have had a torrid start to the 2023 Serie A season, winning three matches and losing three. In hindsight, Gabigol has helped his team in two of the three wins, scoring a crucial penalty to help his team take the three points.

However, up until now, all three of the 26-year-old forward’s goals have come from the spot kick. To win the golden boot, and help Flamengo win a first Serie A title since 2020, Barbosa will have to increase his output on Flamengo’s fixtures. Flamengo will have to go on a winning run if they want to have a real chance of winning an eight Serie A championship. Fortunately for the team, there are still many more games to go.

German Cano – 2 Goals

Fluminense are third in the Serie A with 13 points, having won four matches, drawn once and lost once. Last season, Fluminense finished as the third best team in the league after 38 games, however, German Cano won his own individual award.

The Argentine striker scored an impressive 26 league goals in the season, helping his team qualify to the Copa Libertadores group stage. Fluminense have won the Brasileiro Serie A four times, most recently in the 2012 season. The team may have a better chance of winning it this year, following the addition of former Brazilian and Real Madrid legend, Marcelo. Predicting Cano to finish the season as the top scorer would not be out of the question, particularly as the 35-year-old has already scored two goals from five starts.

Endrick – 2 Goals

One of the most exciting prospects of the 2023 Brasileiro Serie A season is the introduction of Endrick Felipe. More commonly known as Endrick, the 16-year-old is set to join Spanish giants Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. It could well be the final full season that the youngster will play with his home club.

Endrick has already scored two goals for Porco, having played five matches. However, of those five matches, the young Brazilian star has started only once. He has an average goal return of scoring once every 74 minutes. While age may be against him, particularly in a league full of experienced and seasoned veterans, Endrick could well take the Brasileiro Serie A by the scruff of its neck. It is no doubt that he will become a Real Madrid starter in the coming years, but perhaps he can have the same influence as Brazilian compatriot, Neymar had with Santos, before joining Barcelona.

Who Will Win the Brasileiro Serie A Golden Boot?

As the season is still in its early days, there will still be plenty of twists and turns along the way. We believe that the players above have a fantastic chance of ending the season as the top scorer. However, football often surprises all of us. If you have another player in mind, have a look at our sportsbook and discover a full range of odds for the player to finish the season with the most goals.